232 GROGGINESS. 



which support more of the weight of the body, the 

 bony deposit is usually greater; it commonly involves 

 one or both of the pastern joints. Lameness, and 

 of an incurable nature, is the result should side-bones 

 also exist, or if the ring should extend under the 

 cartilages; and it not unfrequently happens that the 

 coffin joint, being surrounded by unyielding bone, is 

 entirely lost. 



It is of little use to meddle with ring-bone unless 

 we begin at its commencement: and then it should 

 be attacked in good earnest. Local bleeding, and 

 lotions, should be first employed ; the inflammation 

 being removed, the repeated and persevering use of 

 the iodide of lead ointment should be adopted, not so 

 much with a view of causing absorption as with an 

 expectation of checking any further deposit of bony 

 matter. All, however, will, often fail; for the inces- 

 sant action of the parts, and the pressure on them, 

 render it very difficult to arrest the progress of the 

 inflammation. In a confirmed case of ring-bone, 

 especially where the joint is lost, it would be the 

 height of cruelty to subject the poor animal to the 

 useless torture of the iron ; and when side-bones and 

 ring-bones exist together, neurotomy is the only 

 means which can afford temporary relief. 



GROGGINESS — KNUCKLING, ETC. 



This is a frequent tremulous motion of the fore leg, 

 with a bowing of the knee, and some degree of knuck- 

 ling of the fetlock ; while upon the slightest tap be- 

 hind the knee the joint yields. There is an evident 

 loss of power and energy in the limb, and though in 



